Application Tips

How to write a cover letter – 5 steps

Wondering how to write a cover letter? We’ve got you covered!

You should send a cover letter every chance you get – even when one is not specifically requested. Any time a job posting asks for a cover letter, gives you the option of sending one or even just asks you to send a resume, you should include a cover letter.

The top 5 cover letter must dos:

1) Write a different cover letter for each job. You already tailored your resume to reflect the job description (you did tailor your resume to reflect the job description, right?) so don’t stop now. Each cover letter should be unique.

2) Don’t repeat information from your resume. Say something new and relevant to this specific job. Let them know you’ve done your homework about the company and the job.

3) Address it specifically to the hiring manager. If the job description doesn’t include the name of who’s hiring, call the location and ask for it. If calling and perhaps snooping online fail to turn up a name, at least think of something that relates back to the company (when I applied here, I addressed my cover letter to “The Snagger in charge of hiring new Snaggers”). Names are personal and show that you aren’t churning out just another cover letter.

4) Use proper formatting. Your name and contact info, the employer name and contact info, the date, salutation, letter itself, then sign off. No more than one page.

Sure they take time, and they can be a pain, and sometimes (we suspect) they don’t get read quite as closely as we’d like, but sending cover letters are just one more way to make a good impression. If you really want to get hired for the job (and if you don’t, why waste your time applying?), then take the time to make sure you send a cover letter each time and that every time you do these five things. Good luck!

This has to be the hardest part of job hunting. Creating a new email for each new job. I always feel a little (ok a lot) confused as to what to say and how to say it. Thank you for the tips. I will try to apply them to my cover letters.

I know how you feel Bridget, I had the exact same struggle when I was job hunting. Each employer got a custom written (tweaked) resume, contact email and individual cover letter. It felt like it took forever to do that, especially with all the proofreading I did, but I think it also contributed to making my job search shorter! Good luck with your search!

I’ve completed hundreds of applications and thought I’d heard & new it all…I was a Human Resource Assistant for over 7 years. A cover letter with a resume definitely makes sense but most of the “profiles” I’ve completed haven’t let me know they’re requesting a cover letter until I’m ending their site and they want it “attached”.
Employers “think” they have us applicants where they want us and that may be for now. But when the recession turns around, and it will, have faith, we’ll be in the driver’s seat. We won’t be working for minimum wage again. Everyone will look for better positions asap!
Keep the faith!

I have never done a cover letter or a resume. Have had the same job for the last 15 years and was terminated because they say all I did was curse people out. This never happened but it is their word againest mine. I don’t know how to fill anything out and don’t think anyone will even give me a chance or if they do I will always be suspect in anything that happens. Can you help me at all with this.

Hi Linda! There are some great resume and cover letter tips here (for free!) http://www.gcflearnfree.org/career and you can check out this post to deal with the fallout of the grounds for your last termination http://www.snagajob.com/resources/how-to-explain-being-fired/. The most important thing is going to be not badmouthing your employer, which is tough in this situation. But try to find a way to explain what happened that is fair to all sides and makes a rational argument for why you were let go.

Hi, I have written and re-written my resume so many times I can recite it by heart,I’ve applied for all kinds of jobs, and as soon as they find out I was let go from my last job, due to an injury, I never hear from them again, besides the fact that I’m 60 years old I feel like I’m being discriminated against.So I’m volunteering for a non-profit organization while I wait for a job to come along, so I can keep my computer skills from getting rusty.

I feel that most employment websites are more interested in me purchasing there services like, professional resumes, purchase our cover letters and all the college recruiters calling.
I feel like I am waisting my time filling out applications cause the only call backs i get are from
College recruiters. What Hiring Employment Websites do you recommend?

Hi Heidi, I’m sorry you’re having trouble with partner offers. While I know they can be frustrating, don’t let them deter you from using a site. You should be able to avoid or stop contact with them by either not opting into contact at sign up, or by requesting that they add you to the Do Not Call list. But in order to fund operations (and stay free for members) job search sites typically have to embrace some form of advertising. If you ask to be added to the Do Not Call list and continue to get contacted, please let us know so we can follow up!

Dear Ms. White,
Your advice to formerly self employed is very useful to me. Thank you.
Here is my question: Should projects that were done with self funding and never sold, such as videos, still be listed as “Employment”?

Hey I was trying to send my resume to kim’s email but I lost it. Could either of you please send me an email so that yo could just take a peek at mine and offer any tippers’? I want to try to bring my resume to some places today or tomorrw and would really appreciate your feedback before I hand it in:)
thnks